WHAT IS CERVICAL CANCER?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix. Cervix is the lower part of the uterus which connects to the vagina.

SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL CANCER:

There might be no symptoms during the initial time.

The most common symptoms of cervical cancer are:

• pelvic pain

• bleeding after sexual intercourse

• bleeding in post-menopausal women

• discomfort during sexual intercourse

• vaginal discharge with a strong odour

• vaginal discharge tinged with blood

 STAGES OF CERVICAL CANCER:

There are mainly 4 stages in cervical cancer:

• Stage 0: There are precancerous cells present.

• Stage 1: Cancer cells have grown from the surface into the deeper tissues of the cervix and possibly into the uterus and nearby lymph nodes.

• Stage 2: Cancer has now moved beyond the cervix and uterus, but not to the walls of the pelvis or the lower part of the vagina. It may or may not affect nearby lymph nodes.

• Stage 3: Cancer cells are present in the lower part of the vagina or on the walls of the pelvis and may be blocking the ureters, the tubes that carry urine from the bladder.

• Stage 4: Cancer affects the bladder or rectum and grows outside the pelvis. Later, in stage 4, it will spread to distant organs, including the liver, bones, lungs, and lymph nodes.

CAUSES OF CERVICAL CANCER:

• HPV: this is a sexually transmitted virus. More than 100 different types of HPV can occur, at least 13 of which can cause cervical cancer.

• Having many sexual partners or becoming sexually active early: Transmission of the types of HPV that cause cancer almost always occurs as a result of sexual contact with a person who has HPV.

• Women who have had many sexual partners are generally at higher risk for HPV infection.

• Smoking: increases the risk of cervical cancer.

• A weakened immune system: The risk of cervical cancer is higher in people with HIV or AIDS and in people who have undergone any transplants, leading to the use of immunosuppressive drugs.

• Birth control pills: Long-term use of some common birth control pills slightly increases a woman's risk of cervical cancer.

• Other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.

• Socio-economic status: The cancer rates appear to be higher in areas where income is low.

TREATMENTS OF CERVICAL CANCER:

Surgery: Early-stage cervical cancer is usually treated with surgery.

Options can include:

• Surgery to remove cancer only. For very small cervical cancer, it may be possible to completely remove cancer with a cone biopsy. This procedure involves cutting a piece of cervical tissue in the shape of a cone but leaving the rest of the cervix intact. This option may make it possible for you to consider becoming pregnant in the future.

• Surgery to remove the cervix (trachelectomy). Early-stage cervical cancer can be treated with a radical trachelectomy procedure, which removes the cervix and some of the surrounding tissue. The uterus remains after this procedure, so it is possible to get pregnant if you wish.

• Surgery to remove the cervix and uterus (hysterectomy). Most early-stage cervical cancers are treated with a radical hysterectomy operation, which involves removing the cervix, uterus, part of the vagina, and nearby lymph nodes. A hysterectomy can cure early-stage cervical cancer and prevent a recurrence. But removing the uterus makes it impossible to get pregnant.

Radiation: Radiation therapy may be given:

• Externally, by directing a beam of radiation to the affected area of   the body (external beam radiation therapy)

• Internally, by placing a device filled with radioactive material into your vagina, usually for just a few minutes (brachytherapy)

Chemotherapy: A drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. It can be given intravenously or taken as a pill. For locally advanced cervical cancer, low-dose chemotherapy is often combined with radiation therapy, since chemotherapy can increase the effects of radiation.

Medical procedure: Teletherapy, Brachytherapy, Loop Electrosurgical Excision, Radiotherapy, and Cervical Conization are medical procedures used.

CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION:

Avoid sexual activity: Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV infection, which is transmitted through sexual activity.

Get an HPV vaccine: Your risk of cervical cancer can be greatly reduced with vaccines that protect against HPV infection. These vaccines do not protect women who are already infected with HPV.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several vaccines that have been shown to prevent infection with the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. Protection against HPV infection lasts 6 to 8 years. It is not known if the protection lasts longer.

The side effects of HPV vaccines include dizziness, feeling faint, headache, fever, and flushing, etc. Receiving the HPV vaccine during pregnancy does not have a harmful effect.